If there’s one city I can go back to time and time again, it’s Barcelona. To me, it’s the perfect city break – a two-hour (and a bit) flight from London, usually sunnier, chic boutique shops around every corner, tapas for days, and countless stylish hotels to choose from. What more could you ask for?
Despite having been to Barcelona many times, one hotel I’ve always wanted to stay at was Nobu – and with my husband’s birthday coming up, it was the perfect excuse to book a quick 48-hour trip. To make it even better, Nobu Barcelona has partnered with a local fashion rental platform called Trent, which lets guests rent designer outfits during their stay. As someone who gets major packing anxiety, and constantly says “I have nothing to wear” despite having a full wardrobe, this sounded like the perfect alternative.
The rental experience:
I chose my outfits the week before we travelled from the Trent website and was able to check the weather forecast before deciding. I went for three dresses: the A.W.A.K.E. Mode Argyle Knitted Dress, the KNWLS Bellona Dress, and the OPEN YY Woven Cargo Pocket Mini Dress.
Think of the site as your shortcut into the ultimate cool girl’s wardrobe. From independent designers to interesting silhouettes (and some of the best accessories I’ve laid my eyes on), choosing just three pieces was a task in itself. I love the idea of renting – not only because it’s more sustainable, but because it’s such a fun way to experiment with different styles and designers.
When we arrived at the hotel, I was immediately handed my bag of outfits, all packaged up perfectly. I loved that it meant I could pack super light too. All I had to think about was toiletries, two pairs of shoes, my charger, and some jewellery – which all fit in my handbag. The dream. It also meant I didn’t spend the trip worrying about what I was going to wear, or buying new outfits like I normally would before a holiday.
The room:
We headed straight up to our room and opened the door to pure luxury (our jaws literally dropped to the floor). A spacious Sake Suite with a separate living area, guest bathroom, a huge bed, and a dreamy ensuite with panoramic views across Barcelona. We could even see the Sagrada Família from our bed – a view we’ll never forget.
The interiors were very Nobu—Japanese-inspired and minimal, yet warm and inviting. It actually reminded me of an onsen we stayed in on our recent honeymoon to Japan. The bathroom was easily our favourite space: two separate sinks (the secret to a happy relationship IMO), a rainfall shower, and a dreamy wooden bathtub with those same panoramic city views.
After an incredible night’s sleep, we headed up to breakfast at the Nobu restaurant on the 23rd floor. We were met with the most amazing views across the city while tucking into a delicious buffet breakfast — arguably my favourite part of any trip.
The outfits:
For my first day, I wore the KNWLS Bellona Dress, which turned out to be the perfect outfit for exploring Barcelona. We were lucky with the weather too — clear blue skies and around 20 degrees. I paired it with Topshop loafers, a burgundy bag and sunglasses, and we walked into the centre, grabbed some tapas for lunch, and dragged my husband around some of my favourite shops — as well as popping into Trent’s shop, located in the centre. A must if you’re into fashion.
One thing I would say is that the Nobu Hotel is located a little out the way from the city centre. It was about a 40–45 minute walk, or a 10–20 minute taxi ride. As I’ve been to Barcelona a lot, I wasn’t too bothered about staying directly in the centre, but if it’s your first time, you may want somewhere closer. We didn’t mind the walk because the weather was good and we ended up exploring new areas — but I would say the immediate area around the hotel isn’t the best.
After a busy day, we headed back to the hotel and went up to the rooftop bar for a drink before dinner. Despite it being a little chilly later on, the rooftop was full of atmosphere and had a really lovely vibe. Up there, there’s a small pool, sunbeds and the bar — a little oasis above the city.
The food:
That evening, we had dinner booked at Nobu’s restaurant and went for the omakase menu for two. It was my first time eating at Nobu, and this felt like the best way to experience it without getting overwhelmed by the menu. Standout dishes included the famous Yellowtail Jalapeño, Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Black Cod Miso (our favourite — no surprises there), and Beef Tenderloin Toban Yaki, all paired with Nobu’s signature cocktails. I loved the element of surprise and not knowing what was coming next. We finished with the chocolate fondant and matcha ice cream and were completely stuffed. As a first Nobu experience, it lived up to the hype.
The spa:
On our final day, we decided to make the most of the hotel and booked some time in the spa. I had the 50-minute Nobu Release massage, a deep tissue treatment using stretching techniques and pressure-point work — exactly what my body needed after two days of walking. Afterwards, we spent time in the sauna, steam room and indoor pool, before heading back up to the rooftop pool to enjoy the sunshine for our last few hours.
Overall, the Nobu Hotel was just as luxurious as I expected, but with a relaxed, cool atmosphere that felt welcoming rather than intimidating. The location might not be ideal if it’s your first time in Barcelona, but if you know the city well and want a hotel you’ll actually enjoy spending time in, it’s perfect.
As for Trent, I loved how easy it made everything. I arrived knowing my outfits were sorted, travelled lighter than I normally would, and at the end of the trip I just handed everything back to reception. No overpacking, no panic shopping beforehand, and no laundry mountain waiting for me when I got home. Honestly? This is the kind of holiday hack I’ll happily repeat.
Deluxe rooms are available on a room-only basis from £213 per night: www.nobuhotels.com/barcelona/.
